Learn to taste wine like an expert, led by former Eleven Madison Park sommelier and Master Sommelier Mia Van de Water.
Battle of the Somms is part wine class, part blind tasting, part gameshow, and 100% entertaining. It's exactly what you need after months of being cooped up at home.
Each week, we explore a key topic in wine tasting (acidity, oak, etc). Our host, Mia, guides you through what this feature tastes like and why it matters, with support from two expert guests – sommeliers from top restaurants, wine program directors at leading bars, and other masters of the vine.
After practicing, you'll get to test your skills with two Battle Wines. Once the audience has its say, our two expert guest hosts go head-to-head, blind tasting the same wines for your entertainment and education (but mostly entertainment). Can the amateurs beat the experts? Can the experts make enough amusingly snarky remarks about each other’s mistakes? There’s only one way to know for sure…
Think you have what it takes to taste wine like a pro? Come find out, at Battle of the Somms!
What’s included
Each ticket includes a tasting kit with four unlabeled 4oz servings of wine. You also have the option of getting a $25 credit toward your favorite bottle from the tasting – plus a 10% discount on that bottle and any additional purchases – at a top NYC wine shop (which can ship anywhere that wine can be shipped).
IMPORTANT NOTE ON SHIPPING: Please purchase your tickets to Battle of the Somms at least one week in advance of the show in order to ensure sufficient time for us to ship your tasting kit to you.
Our host
Mia Van de Water earned her Master Sommelier diploma from the Court of Master Sommeliers in the Americas in 2018. She recently left the sommelier team at Eleven Madison Park, a 3-star Michelin restaurant in Manhattan and World’s Best Restaurant 2017, to run the wine program at Cote Steakhouse in NYC.
In 2014, Mia passed the Court of Master Sommelier’s Advanced Exam with the highest score of the year, earning a Rudd Scholarship and the Johnston Medal. In 2015, Mia represented the United States at the Chaîne de Rôtisseurs Jeune Sommelier Competition International Final after placing second in the American national finals. In 2016, Mia was named one of Food & Wine’s Sommeliers of the Year.
Despite what the Battle of the Somms poster may lead you to believe, she does not own any Napoleon hats.
Upcoming schedule
All shows are at 8:30pm Eastern unless otherwise noted.
Mar 5: What is minerality, anyway? (reds & whites)
Mar 26: Oak v. Ripeness (reds)
Apr 16: Savory v. Fruity (reds & whites)
May 7: Is there sugar in my wine? (whites)
May 28: Wines for grilling: phenolic bitterness & tannin (reds & whites)